Ninja Gaiden

It's the case of the nonexistent ninja.

Public schools in Barnegat, N.J. were locked down briefly after someone reported seeing a ninja running through the woods behind an elementary school.

It turns out the ninja was actually a camp counselor dressed in black karate garb and carrying a plastic sword.

Police told the Asbury Park Press the man was late to a costume-themed day at a nearby middle school.

The lockdown began shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday and lasted until 9:30.